Polymeric adsorbent, and method of preparation and use

Abstract

Macroporous polymers having selected porosity and permeability characteristics that provide rigid polymer matrices suitable for use in medium and high pressure reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPC) are disclosed. A method for preparing the polymers is also disclosed. The polymers are especially useful as stationary phases in large scale chromatography columns without developing increased pressures during prolonged use, while maintaining good chromatographic performance for targeted biomolecules, such as insulin.

1 . A macroporous polymer comprising polymerized monomer units of: 
 (a) 50 to 100 percent by weight of one or more polyvinylaromatic monomer, and    (b) zero to 50 percent by weight of one or more monounsaturated vinylaromatic monomer;    wherein the polymer has:    (i) a total porosity of 0.7 to 2 cubic centimeter per gram;    (ii) an operational mesoporosity of 0.7 to 1.9 cubic centimeter per gram;    (iii) an average particle size diameter of 5 to 50 microns;    (iv) a surface area of 200 to 1500 square meters per gram;    (v) a flow resistance value less than 2,000 at a pressure of 100 bar;    (vi) a total insulin capacity of 60 to 150 grams insulin/liter of polymer and a dynamic insulin capacity of 50 to 150 grams insulin/liter of polymer;    wherein said macroporous polymer is capable of achieving a yield of an insulin or insulin-like molecule in the range of 70 to 99.9%, and optionally, a purity of said insulin or insulin-like molecule in the range of 95 to 100%; and, wherein said macroporous polymer is a seed expanded polymer.    
   
   
       2 . The polymer of  claim 1  wherein the polyvinylaromatic monomer is selected from one or more of divinylbenzene, trivinylbenzene, divinyltoluene, divinylnaphthalene, divinylanthracene and divinylxylene.  
   
   
       3 . The polymer of  claim 1  wherein the monounsaturated vinylaromatic monomer is selected from one or more of styrene and (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl-substituted styrenes.  
   
   
       4 . The polymer of  claim 1  wherein the polymer has: 
 (a) a surface area of 400 to 1000 square meters per gram;    (b) an operational mesoporosity of 0.9 to 1.4 cubic centimeter per gram;    (c) an average particle size diameter of 5 to 20 microns;    (d) a flow resistance value of less than 2,000 at 100 bar pressure    (e) a total insulin capacity of 60 to 150 grams insulin/liter of polymer and a dynamic insulin capacity of 50 to 150 grams insulin/liter of polymer.    
   
   
       5 . The polymer of  claim 1  comprising polymerized monomer units of: 
 (a) 75 to 100 percent by weight of one or more polyvinylaromatic monomer, and    (b) zero to 25 percent by weight of one or more monounsaturated vinylaromatic monomer.    
   
   
       6 . The polymer of  claim 1  wherein the polymer is selected from one or more of divinylbenzene copolymer, styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer, divinylbenzene-ethylvinylbenzene copolymer and styrene-ethylvinylbenzene-divinylbenzene copolymer.  
   
   
       7 . A method for purifying or end-polishing aqueous solutions of mixed biomolecules, comprising contacting the aqueous solution with the macroporous polymer of  claim 1  in a liquid chromatography column having an internal diameter of 2 to 100 centimeters, wherein the column is operated at a pressure of up to 100 bar.